The western producer august 10, 2017

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 2017

VOL. 95 | NO. 32 | $4.25

PASS THE PEAS, PLEASE |

Hutterite women from the Brant Colony near Brant, Alta., pick peas in their colony garden on a sweltering hot day July 31. | MIKE STURK PHOTO

Soybean research As soybean acres expand in Saskatchewan, so does the research | P. 13

Farm to Fork SERVING WESTERN CANADIAN FARM FAMILIES SINCE 1923

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WWW.PRODUCER.COM

A farm tour shows food enthusiasts the origins of their passion | P. 21

Combine losses HARVEST

Feed options drying up in southern Sask. Hay crops, pastures ‘bone dry’ in many areas BY WILLIAM DEKAY SASKATOON NEWSROOM

Tim Stewart is trying to plan his next move. Searing hot weather and months without significant moisture have left his hay crops and pastures bone dry. “We’re stuck in a pretty tough spot,” said the cattle producer who lives west of Rockglen, Sask. “The price of hay is awfully high so it’s pretty near impossible to buy without going broke. And of course the price of barley snuck up 25 percent.” Rain has fallen erratically throughout the province, but producers in the south especially are bearing the brunt of high heat and SEE DRYING UP, PAGE 4

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Harvest is the last chance to increase yields | P. 48

Smaller harvest likely to take longer

Good foundation Pay attention to cattle lameness | P. 52

Variable crop quality between northern and southern regions expected to cause headaches for grain companies BY SEAN PRATT SASKATOON NEWSROOM

Farmers and grain companies are preparing for a prolonged harvest and a below-average crop. Provincial specialists are forecasting smaller than usual crops in Alberta and Saskatchewan because of hot and dry conditions. That is a view shared by the Western Grain Elevator Association, which is forecasting a 60 million tonne harvest in Western Canada, down from the previous five-year average of 67 million tonnes.

“(It) is still a fairly large crop,” said executive director Wade Sobkowich, who noted that Manitoba’s crops are looking good for the most part. The association had been forecasting 65 to 67 million tonnes a couple of months ago before unusually hot and dry conditions sapped yields. Quality is expected to be good in the southern portion of the Prairies where it has been dry and then deteriorate as the harvest moves north into the wetter areas. Harvest will be about two weeks early in the south and two weeks

COUNT ON US Esso ® is a registered trademark of Imperial Oil Limited. Imperial Oil Licensee. CPS CROP PRODUCTION SERVICES and Design is a registered trademark of Crop Production Services, Inc. | 07/17-56061

late in the north, so it will be a long, drawn-out process this year. “Last year we also had an extended harvest, so we’ve had some recent experience,” said Sobkowich. “ The main issue isn’t the length of time it takes to get the crop off the field but the variation in quality.” Grain companies are going to have to be careful to meet but not exceed customer grade specifications with the better quality, early-harvested wheat SEE SMALLER HARVEST, PAGE 5

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u|xhHEEJBy00001pzYv$:# AUGUST 10, 2017 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Box 2500, Stn. Main, Saskatoon, SK. S7K 2C4 The Western Producer is published in Saskatoon by Western Producer Publications, which is owned by GVIC Communications Corp. Publisher: Shaun Jessome Publications Mail Agreement No. 40069240

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